Baluarte is a private owned zoo by the governor and also its open to the public, there’s no entrance fee here, everyone can visit the zoo to interact and get a close encounter with the animals. All animals here are private animal collection of Gov. Singson, he got this cool hobby in collecting different kinds of animals.
At Baluart, you’ll see animals roaming freely around the zoo park – they have deers, pony, horses, camels, goat, peacock, ducks, midget chickens, parrots, ostrich, llama and buffalo. For caged animals they have some reptiles like snakes, iguanas, monitor lizards, pythons, crocodiles and then the tigers are also caged, most young tigers are available for viewing in cages. Other caged birds like – eagles, owls and peacocks are also here in Baluarte. There’s also a butterfly farm inside the garden at Baluarte.
Its free entrance…and there’s nothing to pay for here if you want to encounter the animals, only you have pay for the photo op with the tiger, kalesa ride with the pony and also for your own food, you can buy food there since there are lots of vendors and stores. For the photo op with parrots and birds, you can donate if you want for the care taker of these birds.
lifesize dinosaur statues in Baluarte
View from below Baluarte…check out that nice cloud formation and the view of Baluarte mansion.
Young tigers in cage
Parrots sitting freely in the bird area in Baluarte
the bird care taker always invites kids and people to try to touch the parrots. hahaha check out the kids smile
adult tiger in zoo cage…. this is located at garden of Baluarte mansion, one of the fave of the governor.
Team Ostrich!
Turkey and a deer
they showed to us this yellow submarine… Its so small, I think it can fit up to two people inside.
The naughty ducks hahahaha.. they always cross over from other cages kasi
Me inside the butterfly farm
Black butterfly…
Orchid.
butterfly during meal time
the madame butterfly
here’s the nursery area were they hold all of the eggs and larva
higad!!!! ang dami
pupa time!
waiting for the release….
In Baluarte there’s also this animal encounter show for everyone, it’s a free show. There’s this emcee that sounds like Steve Irvin – the croc hunter.
But before the show, we met first with this young tiger…
I’m so scared at first ahhhahaha. and then I just missed my pet cat Pulot, who looks like a tiger
hay… I miss my pet cat.. I wish I can take home a tiger cub
Here’s the animal encounter show, you can see Cristelle here participating the animal encounter moments hahahah. Look at her face.
She’s holding this cute little flying squirrel.
Here’s Rey having a slithering moment with a snake
Ohhh bear cat!!!!
Ross with a cold iguana….
sleeping boa constrictor…
that’s me holding a serpent eagle!
so cool with this animal encounter. I love this eagle already hahahaa.
Around Baluarte there are lots of stores and vendors, here’s Jeman having his new sideline ahhhahaha
Souvenir shirts for only PHP 100 !! yes!! that PHP 100 for you!
Lots of stores and vendors outside Baluarte.
Now time to have a selfie pic moment with some animals…
you’re looking at me!!
you know that I freaked out after this photo hahhaha. the big is so big!
And here’s a Llama having a foot spa after the hot afternoon
Thanks to Alwin for the pics!!!
How to go here in Vigan City, Ilocos Sur
1. There are two travel options – ride the 8 hour bus from Manila to Ilocos Sur or ride the plane go Laoag City Airport in Ilocos Norte + 1 1/2 land travel to Vigan.
2. We went here via chartered plane of Gov. Chavit Singson, we landed at Vigan City airport, if you have a company trip and want to travel by air, you can try a chartered plane by Sea Air, just inquire to their office on how to get a chartered plane.
3. Air - Domestic flights leave Manila daily for Laoag City in Ilocos Norte, which is an hour and a half ride by bus or arranged vehicles to Vigan. The city can be reached from Laoag City via Partas Bus, Fari̱as Transportation, Maria De Leon Bus Lines, RCJ Bus Lines, F. Franco Trans, and Florida Bus. РVia http://www.vigancity.gov.ph
4. By Land - The 408 km stretch from Manila to Vigan City is a comfortable eight-hour ride along the scenic Manila-Ilocos Highway. Air-conditioned Partas Bus, Dominion Bus, Aniceto Bus and Viron Transit ply the Manila-Vigan route regularly. – Via http://www.vigancity.gov.ph
5. Getting Around - The best way to explore Vigan is on foot; the city center is small and compact, yet full of excitement. Experience a calesa ride around Vigan at P150.00 per hour per carriage. – Via http://www.vigancity.gov.ph
6. If you are in Vigan City, there are lots of transportation, you can ride the tricycle or the “kalesa”, horse drawn carriage. The “kalesa” can be rented at Php 100 per hour.
Vigan City, Ilocos Sur
http://www.vigancity.gov.ph/
For Schedules of City Events and Tours please contact the City Tourism Office. Tel No: (077) 722-8771,
Baluarte in Vigan City
http://chavitsingson.net/baluarte/index.html
Opens - 7am-6pm eve
ryday, entrance is free
Tel # 6377-722-7186
Historic Town of Vigan @ UNESCO
Established in the 16th century, Vigan is the best-preserved example of a planned Spanish colonial town in Asia. Its architecture reflects the coming together of cultural elements from elsewhere in the Philippines, from China and from Europe, resulting in a culture and townscape that have no parallel anywhere in East and South-East Asia.
http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/502
Vigan.PH
http://www.vigan.ph
* Thanks to Governor Chavit Singson for inviting us to tour around Vigan City
Read my complete Vigan travel blog series
for any questions or inquiries, feel free to email me at azrael@gmail.com
Discovering Vigan City - Ilocos Sur trip part 1
